“I thought you were just depending on me to pay for your house in the Caymans,” Lyssa said mildly. She smiled at the waiter as he filled her coffee cup, then turned a much cooler smile on her two former employees.
“What are you talking about?” Justin asked, but he was pale.
“You can’t have forgotten about all that money,” Lyssa said, nodding at the lawyer who was approaching the table with purpose. They’d agreed that she’d arrive a few minutes late. She was impeccably dressed, sleek and expensive. “Ms. Douglas can remind you of each and every withdrawal.”
Mercedes hissed. “I told you she knew.”
“I told you to shut up,” Justin retorted in an undertone. He turned to Lyssa. “Babe! We can work this out.”
“We most certainly can,” Lyssa agreed.
“You just have to be reasonable...”
Ms. Douglas opened her briefcase and began to lay out documents in front of the pair. She looked about as inclined to be reasonable as a hungry barracuda was to decline a snack. “Here are the terminations of your respective employment contracts.”
Justin sputtered.
“You might wish to take note of clause seven, which warrants that you will not be charged with fraud if you repay the entire amount listed in clause eight by close of business tomorrow.”
Justin swore.
Mercedes folded her arms across her chest and looked mutinous.
Lyssa enjoyed her coffee as she watched Ms. Douglas do what she did so very well.
Theo couldn’t believe the change in Lyssa once the lunch with Justin and Mercedes was over. He laid on the bed in his hotel room, listening to her rave about the lawyer’s skill in managing the situation. She described everyone’s reactions so vividly that he could see the scene as clearly as if he’d been there. To his pleasure, she sounded vital again, filled with her old fire, and ready to take on the world.
“How’s Lauren?”
“Stable. The baby apparently changed her mind. Lauren’s on full bed rest and Kyle is going crazy.” He paused then said it. “I think she’s glad to have her mom here.”
“That makes sense,” Lyssa said lightly. “I haven’t called yet.”
“But you will?”
“I will. My To Do list was a bit long this weekend. Tell me about the club.”
“Oh, it’s busy. I’m doing Kyle’s media interviews because he’s so splendidly inarticulate right now.”
Lyssa laughed.
“And teaching his classes. He volunteered for a charity soccer tournament next weekend, so I’ll be taking his place in that.”
“When did you play last?”
“Years ago. With Aidan. But I think it’s like riding a bike. I’ll remember.”
“I know you will. You’ll be a star on both coasts.”
“Perish the thought.”
“You’re enjoying it.”
“I am. Do you miss it?”
“Not one bit. Maybe in ten years, you’ll feel the same way.” They laughed easily together. “We close Wednesday,” she said and he sat up in surprise.
“So soon?”
“The apartment’s empty and the seller suggested we move up the date. The money is all arranged.”
“Yes, I signed the documents today.”
“Then Wednesday it is.” Lyssa’s voice was thrumming with excitement. “Damon is coming with me to the closing and Derek is going to meet us there. I’ll send you pictures.”
“And Logan, too.”
“He’s a lot less interested.”
“Send him pictures of his room.”
“I did but I’ll send more.” She caught her breath and he wondered what she would say. “Thank you for that gift certificate,” she whispered and Theo smiled. He’d discovered that there was an art supply store around the corner from the apartment and had sent her a gift certificate.
“Did you spend it yet?”
“All of it,” she admitted with a laugh. “I was like a kid in a candy store.”
“Good.”
“And Logan’s school called. They have a speaker series and wondered if it would be all right to contact you. I guess a lot of the kids saw the pop-ups and there was some skepticism that you’re really Logan’s father.”
“But no fisticuffs,” Theo said.
“None. He marched them down to the office to prove it from his file, which drew the staff’s attention to the change. I think they’d like to have more diversity in their guest speaker list, but she wanted to check with me that it was all right for them to contact you.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Maybe they were skeptical, too,” she suggested, laughter in her tone.
Theo wasn’t amused. “Tell them to call. I should be back in a few weeks and I’ll be glad to do it.”
“He’ll be talking to your folks on Saturday morning, by the way. If it works out, we should be able to make it their regular day.”
“Good. Thanks for arranging that.”
There was a beat of silence, then Theo heard Lyssa take a breath. “Come home soon,” she said softly, a welcome heat in her voice.
Theo swallowed. “I warned you that home is where my heart is.”
“So’s mine,” she said and Theo’s heart jumped. “I love you, Theo Tremblay. I loved you that first day and I love you now, and I’m going to love you forever. Come home as soon as you can.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Theo promised because he would.
He’d waited eleven years to hear those three little words and he wanted to hear them live.
Two weeks after his departure, Theo was on his way back to New York. Lauren was home, her mom was staying, and Kyle was not only back at work but back to his usual self. Theo suspected that he’d be coming west to cover for Kyle’s paternity leave, but he wanted to go home first.
Home.
The plane couldn’t move fast enough for Theo. Once they landed, it appeared they’d been assigned the most distant gate, then the passengers ahead of him took a lifetime to get off the plane. The only mercy was that he hadn’t checked a bag. He ran through the baggage claim and the arrivals area, leaving more than one head turning in amazement, and tapped his toe in the line for cabs.
At least there was no traffic.
His heart was pounding when the cab turned down the street to the apartment and for the first time since he’d come to America, Theo didn’t feel torn between two continents.
New York was home because Lyssa was there. Would they move in together? Would he just stay at the apartment sometimes? Theo didn’t know and he knew he wasn’t the only one who’d been avoiding that discussion.
It was a talk to have in person.
He saw her from the window high above when he got out of the cab and waved, his heart racing. The elevator was slow but faster than running up seven flights of stairs. She had the door open and a bright smile.
Theo caught her close and kissed her, dropping his bag as she shut the door behind him. She framed his face in her hands and kissed him deeply, inviting him to show her how he felt. When they finally parted, they were both breathing heavily and Lyssa was flushed. “You have to look first,” she said and took him by the hand.
The apartment had been transformed. The carpet was gone and the hardwood it had protected was gleaming. The long wall of the apartment faced Central Park West and the park beyond. There was a terrace all along that side, which was empty at the moment. The windows were large and much cleaner than when they’d first seen it. The apartment itself was pretty empty, but then, there’d been a lot of work done. That Lyssa hadn’t made it into her personal haven yet made Theo hope that they were thinking along similar lines.
The living room was in the corner, a fireplace with an antique mantel on the wall that didn’t face the park. Theo liked that it seemed like the anchor of the apartment. In the same open space, there was a dining area to the right, and the kitchen was toward the entrance. The kitchen had been revitalized with the
addition of granite counters and a new tiled backsplash, and the cabinets had been painted glossy ivory. Lyssa had painted the walls a pale ivory with just a touch of yellow, which made the room look large and welcoming. For the moment, there were only boxes and one long bookcase in this space.
Two bedrooms were to the left of the main living space, facing the side street. The larger one was the only room with blinds on the windows, at least so far. There was a large canopy bed there. The small room beyond contained only a small high table with art supplies all around it. They looked untouched, except for one sketchbook.
The third bedroom was smaller and to the right of the dining area. It had been painted pale blue, had windows facing the park, and the quilt Theo remembered so well was on the bed. He smiled at the wall of bookshelves and the collection that was already growing there.
The hardwood floors had been re-polished and the bathroom had been renovated. It was all white tile, glass and gleaming chrome now. Beneath the windows facing the terrace, there was a long bookshelf with doors. There were moving cartons in the main room, the kind used for hanging clothes. Several were open and dresses were piled on the floor.
“The collection,” Lyssa said, noting his glance, and tugged him toward them. “Come see. I was given clothes at shoots and saved a lot of them. Now, I’m not sure why.” She picked up a turquoise ball gown, heavy with beading, and swirled around with it. “Harper’s Bazaar France, Malta shoot, 2015.” She held out the dress and smiled. “Gorgeous. Couturier. Paris designer. Not particularly good for a run to Whole Foods, though.”
Theo smiled. “Sandra must have plans.”
“She does!” Lyssa went to the long bookcase and opened one door, still holding the dress. Theo saw that there were magazines organized there, the large fashion ones. “This is the archive,” she said, then pulled one out. “Every magazine I was ever in.” She tucked the dress under her arm as she crossed the room to him, fanning through the magazine, then showed him one page.
Angel was wearing that dress, on the lip of a pool that appeared to be in a medieval castle. The sky was almost as blue as the dress. She wore a crown of seashells, her face tipped back to the sun and her hair flowing behind her. She didn’t look real at all.
“A medieval princess,” he said.
“Or a mermaid queen.” Her features lit as she turned to him. “Logan suggested that we need another patchwork quilt, so I’m going to make one from these.”
“You’re not going to cut them up.”
“No, just take a snippet. That one was a memory quilt for my grandmother, so I thought I’d do the same. You see? I took a piece of this turquoise satin from the hem and no one will miss it.” She showed him the strip of fabric, which had been sewn to another one. “Every time I see it, I’ll think Malta 2015.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“What do you think?”
“I can’t believe how much you’ve accomplished.”
Lyssa took a deep breath. “And now the important part.”
“Which is?”
Her gaze flicked to his. “Taking it from apartment to home.” She licked her lips. “I’d love to have a couch like the one in your apartment. It would own the whole room.”
“You want my couch?”
“I want more than your couch.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” Theo said on impulse. “How about I move in and bring it with me?”
“Yes!” Lyssa dropped the dress and cast herself into his arms. “I thought you might want to stay with your suits, though.”
“We’ll work it out.” He smiled down at her as he swung her around. “Besides, you might need another place to paint. A little north-facing studio apartment might be just the thing.”
“You,” she breathed. “She said nursery.”
“Not me. I’m happy with things just as they are.”
Lyssa laughed. “But I like having choices.” She nestled close. “There are so many reasons I love you, Theo Tremblay. Now, come and tell me what you think of our new bed.” She stretched to kiss him, then stopped. “Do you really sleep on that sofa?”
Theo nodded. “There’s no room for anything else.” He kissed her before she could respond, then swept her into his arms and headed for the bedroom. “This is a great deal. I get a king-sized bed.”
‘You have to share,” she said, tugging his tie loose.
“I don’t mind one bit,” Theo said with resolve, then kissed her again.
Lyssa awakened early, as had already become a habit in this apartment. It was the light. She loved how the morning light streamed into the windows that faced the park. She kissed Theo’s shoulder, then slipped from the bed. He didn’t stir, so she pulled up the blanket, leaving him asleep.
She had the most wonderful vision of a painting in her mind’s eye. She’d been sketching for weeks but dissatisfied with the result. Until now. The missing element was perfectly clear. She pulled out the most recent sketch, the one that came closest to expressing what she wanted to show, and surveyed it.
Yes. It would work.
The apartment was quiet, the sounds of the street muted, the sunlight flooding the space. Lyssa bent over her sketchbook, sitting at the kitchen counter, adding the detail that would bring it all together. She thought of a shoot in Mexico, one in a sanctuary that was a destination and breeding refuge for monarch butterflies. She remembered how the trees had all looked as if they were covered in dark leaves when they’d arrived just before the dawn. The trunks of the trees had seemed to have grey scales of exactly the same size. It was strange and colorless—until the sun rose. And as the sun touched those scales and leaves, they fluttered. The butterflies were warmed by the sunlight and began to stir, orange flashing from every surface. Finally, they took flight, one at a time, spiraling into the morning sky. By the time the sun lit the area, the air had been filled with millions of butterflies.
It had been magical, and Lyssa would never forget the transformation of the scene.
It was the perfect idea for her drawing of a tangled wood. In this illustration, the trees wound around each other and grew in twisted shapes. Some had thorns. There was a path in the middle, a slight thinning of the dense forest, but its end point was unclear. It could have been part of a fairy tale—a path to the troll’s bridge, or to the witch’s cottage, a gambit the hero had to run. But Lyssa hadn’t been happy with it. She’d sensed that it was missing something and now she knew what it was.
Butterflies.
Of course.
She drew small shapes and outlines, hundreds of what appeared to be leaves or scales on the branches. Except for the one in the foreground that was beginning to flutter, the one that revealed a flash of orange against the darkness.
It would have to be dawn when she executed this image as a painting. She’d go back to watercolors again for layers of symbols and meaning, half-glimpsed images and ideas. This butterfly and maybe one or two others would have to be in a beam of sunlight, and there would be one flying above the tangled forest, against the sky.
Free.
Fearless.
Lyssa got out the paper and watercolors she’d bought, confident in her vision, and prepared her materials. She began to paint a wash of morning light across the background, all the hues of light banishing darkness. She suggested some clouds in the distance and left a few stars to glimmer in the last vestiges of night at the top. Were there images half-hidden in the clouds? Of course. Just as there would be others in the shadows. She positioned the butterflies that were awakened, leaving their vivid color before she began to paint the tangle of trees and branches.
She was aware that Theo got up and heard him in the washroom. She felt him pass behind her and smiled when he kissed the back of her neck. She was getting the color exactly right. She smelled the coffee, but kept at her work, focused on her creation. She felt him come to stand behind her and didn’t mind him looking. She thought she could feel his smile of approval and was aware that he watched her.
>
She cast him a glance and smiled. “Can I have some of that coffee?”
“Of course. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You inspire, not interrupt,” she said and he smiled.
“That’s probably the better option,” he said and went to pour coffee. She finished what she was doing and turned to watch him. He was wearing only his briefs and his open dress shirt, concentrating on his task. Lyssa’s chest went tight, just as it did when she watched Logan. She knew what that meant.
It was funny but now that she’d finally told him the truth, she wanted to declare it over and over again. “I love you,” she said and Theo met her gaze, a slow smile curving his lips.
“I love you,” he said as if there was no other option available.
“Still?”
“Always and forever.” He brought her the coffee, still carrying his own, looking between the sketch and the start of the painting. “It’s going to be more powerful in color.”
“I think so.”
“The natural heir to that first one. It’s all darkness and this one makes me think of a new beginning.” He slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “Maybe we should frame them the same way and hang them together.”
“I’ve barely started!”
“But it’s going to be brilliant, Lyssa,” he said with welcome conviction. He bent and kissed her shoulder again. “Marry me?” he asked softly and she spun to face him.
“Yes.”
His smile was almost as hot as his kiss. “Let’s go down to F5 later.”
“You have to work?”
“No. I have an idea of how to celebrate this. I’ll tell you on the way.”
Chynna was sketching in her shop at Flatiron Five, daydreaming about Trevor, and getting used to the weight of the new ring on her left hand. Tristan was warbling away to himself, almost as if he was talking to himself, but he’d been making those sounds all day. He’d also been sorting out his tarot cards, rearranging them, and she thought maybe that was the root of the discussion.
Maybe she should buy him a new deck.
Bad Case of Loving You Page 31
